Wisconsin hospitals celebrate as COVID-19 patients are discharged

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- While Wisconsin has seen over 3,000 positive coronavirus cases to date, area hospitals have reason to celebrate as recovering patients are discharged.

According to Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, 42 COVID-19 patients went home last week, bringing their total number of COVID-19 discharges to 114 as of Monday, April 13 -- and on Tuesday, one patient received a special send-off. 

Starr, a 72-year-old Milwaukee resident, was released on April 14, after being hospitalized with COVID-19 since March 31.

Froedtert says Starr suffered acute respiratory failure as a result of coronavirus, and remained on oxygen for 11 days.

“I was thoroughly impressed with the men and women who cared for me," Starr said. "They were all very nice, professional, and compassionate."

“I am very proud of all the staff and how hard they have worked to ensure positive outcomes for our patients," said Jess Thomey, RN, Nurse Manager. "We are extremely grateful to see people go home because it truly shows the dedication we have to making our patients better. Most importantly, the team can also celebrate with the patients and how they kept fighting during a very difficult time in their lives. To see the patients’ smiles when they leave and to hear their kind words about their care is very impactful for the staff."

Aurora Health Care also celebrated a huge achievement Tuesday, discharging their 1,000th COVID-19 patient.

Wynonia Payne, an 81-year-old Milwaukee resident, was one of those patients. She was released from Aurora Medical Center in Grafton after defeating the virus.

Wynonia was met with cheers and applause as health care workers escorted her out the door.

Forty-year-old Christopher Macintosh, of South Milwaukee, was also discharged Tuesday. Health care workers lined the halls of Aurora St. Luke's South Shore as he left, clapping and offering signs of encouragement.

Christopher expressed gratitude to the nurses at South Shore and told staff he's looking forward to being home with his wife and three sons.

He told the nurses that when he's back to full health, he’d love to return to South Shore to volunteer.